With a roster that included future coaching legend Red Holzman, legendary pro quarterback Otto Graham, major league catcher Del Rice, and Chuck Connors, who would go on to greater fame as The Rifleman the Rochester Royals owned and Coached by Les Harrison posted a solid 24-10 record in their inaugural season in the National Basketball League. In the playoffs, the second-place Royals would stun the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in four games to reach the NBL Finals.

In the finals, the Royals would sweep the Sheboygan Red Skins in three straight games to claim the NBL Championship.